Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the Supreme Court opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Students for Fair Admissions challenged the admissions policies of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, arguing that their consideration of race violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that race-conscious admissions programs at both schools were unconstitutional.

3) Why It Mattered
This decision effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions, overturning decades of precedent (Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003) that had allowed limited consideration of race to promote diversity.

4) What It Provided or Took Away

• Took Away: The ability of colleges and universities to use race as a factor in admissions.
• Provided: A stricter interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause that applies equally to all racial classifications.

5) Overreach or Proper Role?
Supporters said the Court corrected unfair, race-based preferences and restored a colorblind Constitution. Critics argued it ignored systemic inequalities and rolled back progress in higher education access.

6) Plain-English Impact Today
Colleges and universities can no longer consider race in admissions decisions. Schools must pursue diversity through race-neutral means.

• Equal Protection
• Affirmative Action
• Education
• 14th Amendment